BREAKING NEWS: Senators Coach Travis Green Alleges Maple Leafs “Bought Off” Referees in Shocking Claim
Ottawa, ON — May 8, 2025
In an explosive and unexpected development, Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green has sent shockwaves through the hockey world, claiming on social media that he has uncovered evidence suggesting the Toronto Maple Leafs “bought off” referees during their two recent “shady and disgraceful” playoff wins.
The now-viral post, published early Thursday morning on Green’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account, read:
“I’ve reviewed footage, I’ve seen the patterns, and I’ve heard enough. The NHL needs to investigate what happened in those two Maple Leafs wins. This goes beyond bad officiating — this reeks of corruption. The Leafs didn’t just win — they bought those games.”
Green offered no immediate proof, but claimed he was “compiling” video, communication logs, and whistle-blown inconsistencies that, according to him, suggest a “coordinated pattern” of favorable calls, missed penalties, and biased faceoff decisions that benefitted Toronto. The Senators were eliminated earlier in the postseason but played Toronto in a high-stakes stretch to close the regular season.
The NHL swiftly responded, with a spokesperson saying, “These accusations are extremely serious and completely unsubstantiated. There is zero evidence at this time of any misconduct by officials or any organization. We are reviewing Coach Green’s comments.”
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving fired back within hours:
“This is nothing short of reckless and defamatory. We’ve battled our way to every win, and to suggest anything else is a smear job. Coach Green needs to either show evidence or apologize.”
The hockey world is deeply divided, with some fans praising Green’s boldness in calling out what they see as suspicious officiating, while others accuse him of trying to stoke controversy and shift blame for Ottawa’s disappointing finish.
Former NHL referee Tim Peel weighed in, saying, “The idea that refs could be bought off in today’s NHL is not only far-fetched — it’s dangerous. If Green has proof, he better show it. Otherwise, this damages the entire integrity of the league.”
Insiders speculate that if Green fails to present credible evidence soon, the NHL could fine or suspend him for violating league conduct rules, particularly for publicly attacking officiating integrity without due process.
Meanwhile, fans across Canada and the U.S. are demanding answers, with hashtags like #RefGate, #LeafsScandal, and #JusticeForOttawa trending by the hour.
As this story unfolds, one thing is certain: Game 3 of the Maple Leafs–Panthers series will now be played under an even bigger microscope — and with more fire than ever.
Would you like me to monitor reactions from current players and analysts as this develops?
